Prophecy and the Invasion of Lebanon

The most important fact about Israel today is that she has committed treason against her King. The King sent his Son into the world on a mission of peace and reconciliation. He came to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6; 15:24). He wanted only the tribute which faithful subjects owe. But the Son was rejected by Israel. And to this day most Jews reject the Son of their King. In banishing the filial ambassador of their Sovereign they have committed high treason. And today they occupy his land under the flag of rebellion. A revolt against the Son is insurrection against the Father-King. For “no one who denies the Son has the Father” (1 John 2:23).

Therefore, Israel has surrendered her rights to God’s fatherly reign. This is what Jesus meant when he said to them: “The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it” (Matthew 21:43). The faithful subjects of the Jewish King are those who trust and follow his Son. They are the true Jews by adoption (Romans 2:28, 29; Philippians 3:3; Galatians 3:7, 29). They will inherit the Kingdom; they are the heirs of the promises (Ephesians 3:6; Galatians 3:29).

But until then the main prophetic word to the secular state of Israel is, NO! No one living in rebellion against the King may claim his sanction for their actions. Israel has forsaken her King, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, and lives in revolt against God. And the trumpet blast of the Old Testament prophecies to the apostate Israel is, “You shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:20). Why did Assyria sack the northern tribes? “Because they sinned against the Lord their God” (2 Kings 17:7). Why did Babylon smash Jerusalem and take Judah into exile? “Because they did what was evil in God’s sight” (2 Kings 21:15).

What then is the word of prophecy toward sinful, rebellious Israel today? God has not changed. His word is simple: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:19, 20). There is no reason to think that after 2,500 years Israel now can claim God’s sanction for her unbelief and rebellion. She stands under judgment. If she does not repent and turn to her Savior-Messiah she will be devoured by the sword.

Therefore, woe to the followers of Christ who condone the displacement of 600,000 Lebanese citizens at the point of Jewish rifles. Woe to the Christians who think Jesus Christ sanctions the killing of 10,000 Lebanese because the bullets came from Israeli tanks. God does not sanction the sins of this rebel people. They stand under his judgment for their sins. Our response can be only this: an outcry of righteous indignation against Israel’s arrogance and aggression; and a prayer that they might repent and be saved before it is too late.

On behalf of the prophets,

Pastor John

John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books.

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